Trump’s nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia jettisons longstanding US nonproliferation demands

The Trump administration signed a 30-year civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, commonly known as a “123 agreement,” that opens the door for the kingdom to eventually pursue uranium enrichment on its own soil. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman put pen to paper on the deal, which President Trump had formally approved the week prior. What the deal actually says A 123 agreement, named after Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act, is the legal framework required before any country can receive American nuclear technology, materials, or expertise. Historically, that checklist included a hard requirement: no domestic enrichment of uranium. This deal drops that requirement. Instead, it introduces a joint US-Saudi feasibility study on enrichment, essentially kicking the can down the road while leaving the door wide open. The pact is projected to funnel billions of dollars into US nuclear companies. Westinghouse stands to be an early and major beneficiary. The 30-year timeline means this agreement will outlast multiple administrations. Why nonproliferation hawks are sounding alarms Nonproliferation experts have been vocal abo...